Who is responsible for examining the roadway to be traveled before operating section haulage equipment?

The responsibility for examining the roadway to be traveled before operating section haulage equipment lies with the equipment operator. This is critical because the operator is the person who will directly navigate the equipment and is thus best positioned to assess the conditions of the roadway, identify hazards or obstacles, and ensure the path is secure for safe operation. Performing a thorough pre-operational inspection is part of the operator's duties to maintain safety standards, prevent accidents, and ensure the efficient functioning of the haulage equipment.

While other personnel like the mine foreman, safety officer, and maintenance crew play important roles in the overall safety and operational procedures of the mine, it is ultimately the equipment operator who must take immediate responsibility for the conditions of the specific route they will be taking. This person must ensure their own safety and the safety of those working nearby by proactively checking for any issues that could affect the safe operation of the equipment.